Tertiary and Regional Services
Tertiary and Regional Services ending
From 20 December 2024, Regional Tertiary Commuter services will no longer operate. We understand this change will impact students and commuters who rely on these services.
The decision to end these services is due to consistently low passenger numbers and limited funding. Despite efforts to secure additional funding and explore fare options, the service remains financially unsustainable without sufficient support. We understand this is a significant change, and we’re here to assist you with planning alternative travel options.
Service information - until 20 December 2024
These services are a joint venture between the University of Waikato, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with each organisation contributing funds to make the service available, along with a grant from Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The links below will take you through to the timetables for these services, which includes route maps and bus stops.
When they operate
These services operate Monday to Friday during the academic year - from February to December. Please check the individual timetables to ensure the service is running on the date you need.
These services do not operate on public holidays.
Using the service
These services are available to all bus users.
The buses on these routes are not always a branded Bayhopper or Cityride bus.
| Service | Usual bus |
| 101 - Whakatane to Tauranga | White Uzabus bus |
| 102 - Rotorua to Tauranga | White Ritchies bus or a green Cityride bus |
| 103 - Katikati to Tauranga | Blue Bayhopper bus |
| 104 - Murupara to Rotorua | Green Cityride bus or a white Ritchies bus |
| 105 - Tauranga to Rotorua | White Ritchies bus or a green Cityride bus |
Paying for your trip
Fares on these services must be paid for in cash – Bee Cards are not accepted.
Student ID or SuperGold cards will be required to receive concession fares.
Fares
Specific fare information for each of the routes can be found on our Fares pages.